Oakland Museum of California Opening Celebration Weekend May 1 & 2 May 1, 2010

Thirty-one hours of Continuous, round-the-clock, free public programs, presented by Target, will officially launch the reopening of the transformed Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) after a two-year, $58 million renovation and re-envisioning of the presentation of its art and history collections. The opening celebration weekend is designed as a thank you to Oakland voters who supported Measure G, which provided funding in part for OMCA's transformation.

At 11 am on Saturday, May 1st, OMCA will officially reopen to the public with a ceremony on the 1000 Oak Street Steps (between 10th and 11th Streets). The program will include a Native American Ohlone blessing by tribal member and artist Linda Yamane, welcoming remarks by Museum leadership and elected officials, and the premiere of a stunning aerial dance work created by Oakland's Project Bandaloop on OMCA's facade set to a score of natural sounds from OMCA's California Library of Natural Sounds. After the premiere, OMCA's gates will be opened for the public to experience the exciting new transformations inside. While awaiting entry, visitors will be entertained by performances of California "firsts" by the San Francisco Lesbian and Gay Freedom Band, Holistic Hooping hula-hoop performances, Yo-yo champion Dazzling Dave, master whistler Sean Lomax, hip-hop dancing with Oakland Hip Hop Dance Institute and more.

Saturday evening events from 6 pm through 6 am Sunday, May 2nd, transition to a more adult flavor with participants invited to socialize, participate, and enjoy OMCA's all-night party--pajamas are encouraged. Featured will be live DJs and radio broadcasts, a dance music showcase from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., "California Futures" ongoing conversations and group experiences about California's cultures, creativity, food, and more; screenings of California films, personalized gallery tours with curators, food and drink until 2 am--all this and fire dancers, too!

Official Website: http://www.museumca.org